The Washington Commanders drafted Oregon offensive tackle Josh Conerly, Jr. in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft—a move that few predicted, but one that has been warmly received by reporters and fans alike. Now we know that Eagles general manager Howie Roseman also thinks it was a “great pick” in an Eagles behind-the-scenes video.
Roseman called Washington’s GM Adam Peters for a potential trade up in the first round to draft linebacker Jihaad Campbell out of Alabama. Peters took the call, but apparently informed Roseman that there would be an “in-division tax,” which prompted Roseman to have to wait to see if Campbell would be there when the Eagles selected a couple picks later. When Washington drafted Conerly, Roseman was excited that Campbell was still on the board, but exclaimed “that was a great pick.”
Standing 6-foot-5 and weighing 310 pounds, Conerly started 26 games over two seasons at Oregon, allowed just one sack, and earned first-team All-Big Ten honors as well as third-team All-American recognition by the Associated Press.
“It means the world to me,” Conerly said when asked about the opportunity to block for Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels. “A Heisman Trophy winner, somebody I looked up to. Just someone that went from the Pac-12, went to the SEC, did big things… and I’m looking forward to the opportunity just to get out there and block for one of the best.”